Global Cost of Corrosion Over $2 Trillion

MANITOWIC, WI – In the radiator business, the name Heresite is recognized by many as a reddish brown coating that is used to retard corrosion. Heresite is more than that. It is a company with global reach that provides corrosion solutions for a host of industries with a number of different products and processes.

Brand awareness is one of the reasons that Peter Hellman be- came the fourth owner of the company founded in 1935. He also saw potential in the corrosion protection business. Hellman improved processes, people and formulations, including reducing lead times from 6-8 weeks down to 2 weeks. According to Hellman, the annual worldwide cost of corrosion is over $2 trillion, which represents 3% of the world’s GDP. In the U.S., the annual cost of corrosion due to direct damage, increased maintenance and downtime is approximately $1 trillion.

Peter said about 90 % of their business is coating for heat transfer equipment which they have been doing since ‘60s. Markets they serve include HVAC and commercial refrigeration heat transfer coils and unitary/rooftop equipment; industrial pro- cess equipment like compressor rotors, valves, pump housings; radiators and industrial process coolers, charge air coolers, fin fan coolers, intercoolers; and air fume handling equipment such as fans, blowers, fume hoods, louvers.

Heresite was a first-time NARSA HD Heating and Cooling Conference exhibitor at the recent event in Louisville. Peter said that they are looking to increase awareness and business among radiator shops and manufacturers.

Demand for their coatings are the usual high salinity coastal regions and in environments exposed to high humidity, corrosive chemicals and fumes. Typical markets include: wastewater treatment plants, refineries, chemical plant, telecommunications and data centers, fossil fuel power plants, food processing facilities, airports, oil drilling platforms, as well as convention centers, and hotels.

They offer several different basic ways for protection. They can do it for you at their Wisconsin plant with Heresite’s P-413 baked phenolic epoxy. They also have products that can be spray-applied in the shop with their VR-514 air dry phenolic. An aerosol version of this product (VR-514t) is also available for smaller jobs and touch-ups. The third option is to use one of their 12 certified applicators, four of which are located in the United States. Heresite is active in 30 different countries including Canada, France, Italy, Mexico, South Korea and Dubai.

Peter said that they have one spray application for shop applications today (VR-514) and they will be releasing another soon (ES- 600). ES-600 will premiere at the January 2019AHR Show in Atlanta, GA. Other coatings include high bake phenolics for industrial applications such as tank liners.

Interesting note is that one of the certified applicators is Rahn Industries which has history with NARSA back into the ‘70s. Bill Han was the CEO and Rahn at the time was a leading supplier of automotive aftermarket air conditioning condensers. Rahn was a regular advertiser in the “Automotive Cooling Journal” which was renamed “The Cooling Journal” 15 years ago. Today Rahn Industries is a HVAC/refrigeration coil manufacturing company.

In marine/salt air applications the corrosion factors include chloride (salt spray, marine fog), humidity and sunlight.